China follows US on electronic warfare with J-15 and J-10 variants
- The PLA is developing multi-role military aircraft equipped with hi-tech countermeasures for joint operations
- Two models of the J-15D Roaring Shark spotted on board a Chinese aircraft carrier for the first time
Pictures of the J-15D variant with the wingtip electronic warfare pods first emerged online in 2018. The D in the plane’s designation stands for Dianzi, the Chinese word for electronic. This month’s sighting was the first time it was spotted on board a carrier.
And last week Chinese military enthusiasts shared a picture on Twitter of a new variant of the J-10 fighter jet flying with a prominent dorsal “big spine” configuration.
With no powerful ammunition under its wings, the configuration of the J-10C is similar to the American F-16C/D Block 52 and Block 60 – a variant of the F-16 with conformal fuel tank and additional advanced integrated defensive electronic warfare systems which Washington sold to Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates several years ago.
A Chinese military source who requested anonymity because of the issue’s sensitivity, said the appearance of the J-15D “means the new aircraft is very likely to become one of the ship-borne fighters working with other J-15s”.